Helmet fitting system

ABSTRACT

A fit system positionable adjacent interior portions of a helmet and cranial surfaces of a cranium of a wearer of the helmet proximate the interior portions of the helmet for improving the fit of the helmet to the cranium. The system includes an elongate fluid impervious bladder having a first end including an inlet port in fluid communication with the bladder and a second end remote from the first end. The bladder defines a single continuous fluid flowpath between the first end and the second end for receiving fluid introducible into the bladder through the inlet port for expanding the bladder so that substantially the entire length of the bladder may be expanded to engage mutually facing portions of the cranium of the user and interior portions of the helmet. The bladder is positionable within the helmet so as to substantially wrap around side portions of the cranium, temple areas of the cranium, a rear occipital protuberance portion of the cranium and an upper portion of the cranium without compromising the fluid flow path.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION.

[0001] This is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. Application Ser.No. 09/326,418 filed Jun. 4, 1999, and entitled HELMET FITTING SYSTEM.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to helmets and more particularlyto a device and method for fitting helmets to the craniums of users.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Helmets, such as football helmets often include a high impactpolymer shell and a shock absorbing component interior the shell. Formass produced helmets, the shells and shock absorbing componentstypically are provided in standard sizes, e.g., small, medium and large.To account for variances in head or cranium size, shape and the likewithin a size, a fitting component may be provided to adjust the fit ofthe helmet.

[0004] The present invention relates to an improved fitting componentthat overcomes disadvantages of prior fitting components and offersimproved fit, comfort and ease of use for the user.

[0005] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a systemfor fitting of helmets to craniums.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a system of thecharacter described that is of one piece construction.

[0007] An additional object of the invention is to provide a system ofthe character described that enables custom fitting for individualusers.

[0008] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a system of thecharacter described that can be manufactured from a blank yet whichenables fluid to be introduced via a flow path that does not becomeblocked or otherwise obstructed when the fit system is positioned aboutthe cranium of a user.

[0009] A further object of the invention is to provide a system of thecharacter described that enables fluid to be introduced via a singleflow path for expanding the fit system a desired amount.

[0010] A still further object of the invention is to provide a system ofthe character described that enables fluid to be introduced via one ormore discrete flow paths for expanding the fit system a desired amount.

[0011] It is another object of the invention to provide a helmet thatincorporates fit systems in accordance with the invention and methodsfor fitting such helmets to users.

[0012] A further object of the invention is to provide a fit system ofthe character described that is uncomplicated in configuration andconvenient to use.

[0013] With regard to the foregoing, the present invention is directedto a fit system positionable adjacent interior portions of a helmet andcranial surfaces of a cranium of a wearer of the helmet proximate theinterior portions of the helmet for improving the fit of the helmet tothe cranium.

[0014] The system includes an elongate fluid impervious bladder havingan inlet end including an inlet port in fluid communication with thebladder and a terminal end distal from the inlet end. The bladderdefines a single continuous fluid flowpath between the inlet end and theterminal end for receiving fluid introducible into the bladder throughthe inlet port for expanding the bladder so that substantially theentire length of the bladder may be expanded to engage portions of thecranium of the user and interior portions of the helmet.

[0015] In another aspect, the fit system includes an elongate pliablemember that is substantially M-shaped when positioned in a planarorientation and positionable in a non-planar relationship within ahelmet so as to substantially wrap around side portions of the cranium,temple areas of the cranium, a rear occipital protuberance portion ofthe cranium and an upper portion of the cranium.

[0016] The invention also provides a blank for manufacture of the fitsystem and having a first fluid impervious sheet material overlying asecond fluid impervious material, with selected substantially continuousportions of the first and second sheet materials being sealed togetherto define a single fluid path that provides an elongate substantiallyM-shaped cavity for receiving a fluid for expanding the cavity.

[0017] In still another aspect, the invention provides a method offitting a helmet to a cranium.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the steps ofproviding a helmet comprising a shell having a shock attenuation lineradjacent an interior portion of the shell and a fit system adjacent theinterior portion for contacting portions of the cranium. The fit systemincludes an elongate fluid impervious bladder having a first endincluding an inlet port in fluid communication with the bladder and asecond end remote from the first end. The bladder defines a singlecontinuous fluid flowpath between the first end and the second end forreceiving fluid introducible into the bladder through the inlet port forexpanding the bladder to engage adjacent portions of the cranium of theuser and interior portions of the helmet. The bladder is positionablewithin the helmet so as to substantially wrap around portions of thecranium without compromising the fluid flow path.

[0019] Next, the helmet is positioned on the cranium of the user suchthat the fit system substantially wraps around portions of the craniumwithout compromising the fluid flow path. Fluid is then introduced intothe bladder via the inlet port to desirably expand the fit system toengage adjacent portions of the cranium of the user and the liner of thehelmet.

[0020] In still another embodiment, the invention relates to a fitsystem including a pair of elongate fluid impervious bladders. Eachbladder includes a first end including an inlet port in fluidcommunication with the bladder and a second end remote from the firstend. Each bladder defines a single continuous fluid flowpath between thefirst end and the second end for receiving fluid introducible into thebladder through the inlet port for expanding the bladder so thatsubstantially the entire length of the bladder may be expanded to engageportions of the cranium of the user and interior portions of the helmet.

[0021] The invention advantageously enables fitting a helmet to acranium of a user to enhance comfort and aids in maintaining the helmetdesirably positioned on the cranium of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The above and other features and advantages of the presentinvention will become further known from the following detaileddescription considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

[0023]FIG. 1 is top plan view of a fit system in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention.

[0024]FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the fit system of FIG. 1.

[0025]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional end view of the fit system of FIG. 1taken along line 3-3.

[0026]FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a blank for providing the fit systemof FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 ofFIG. 4.

[0027]FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view showing a fit systemaccording to the invention and a cranium.

[0028]FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a fit system according to theinvention installed within a helmet shell.

[0029]FIGS. 7a and 7 b show positioning of ports associated with the fitsystem relative to the shell of a helmet.

[0030]FIGS. 8 and 8a are top plan views of fit system in accordance withthe invention having circulating fluid.

[0031]FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a fit system according toanother embodiment of the invention.

[0032]FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view showing the fit system of FIG. 8installed within a helmet shell.

[0033] FIGS. 11-15 are plan views of alternate embodiments of fitsystems in accordance with the invention having a single fluid flowpath.

[0034] FIGS. 12-20 are plan views of alternate embodiments of fitsystems in accordance with the invention having plural fluid flow paths.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] FIGS. 1-8

[0036] With initial reference to FIGS. 1-3, there is shown a fit system10 for use with a helmet for fitting an interior portion of the helmetto a cranium of a user to reduce slippage between the cranium of theuser and the helmet, to assist in maintaining the helmet in place on thecranium and to avoid discomfort to the user. The fit system 10 enables amedium to be introduced in a fluid state to void spaces between theinterior of the helmet and the cranium to fill or partial fill the voidspaces as desired. The medium is flowably introduced through a single,serpentine flow path located between the interior of the helmet and thecranium of the user while the helmet is worn on the cranium. Theconfiguration of the flow path enables a substantially equal pressure tobe exerted by the fluid against the cranium of the user regardless ofthe area of the flow path at a given location of the flow path.

[0037] The fit system 10 preferably includes a first portion 12 of afluid impervious material overlying a second portion 14 of a fluidimpervious material. The first layer 12 and the bottom layer 14 arepreferably made of a relatively flexible and fluid impervious plasticsheet material, such as vinyl.

[0038] The first portion 12 and the second portion 14 are fixedlyattached to one another to provide a substantially impervious bladder 18therebetween for receiving a fluid. The fluid is preferably either a gassuch as air, gels, liquids such as water, or curable liquids, such as aliquid-based foams that cure or set into a solid form, such aspolyurethane foam

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the first portion 12 preferably has a thinlayer 16 of a soft material exterior to the bladder, such as nylon,velo, moleskin, or other soft, flexible fabric, secured thereto as byadhesive for contacting the cranium of the user.

[0040] An inlet port 20 is located at an inlet end 22 of the bladder 18for introducing fluid into the bladder 18. An outlet port 24 ispreferably provided at a outlet or terminal end 26 of the bladder 18when a curable liquid fluid is to be introduced into the bladder 18 forenabling the fluid to flow out of the bladder 18 during filling. Forexample, a liquid foam is preferably flowed through the bladder 18 frominlet end 22 to outlet end 26 until fluid is observed to flow out of theport 24. The presence of fluid exiting the bladder through the port 24indicates that the bladder is substantially uniformly expanded with thefluid.

[0041] In the use of non-setting fluids, e.g., gas, gels and liquidsthat do not change state and maintain their fluidity, the outlet port 24is preferably not included or is provided with a seal and the inlet port20 preferably includes a suitable valve arrangement that enables fluidto be introduced into the bladder 18 through the port and to inhibitintroduced fluid from exiting the bladder 18 back through the port 20.

[0042] The fit system 10 may be manufactured using a blank 27 as shownin FIGS. 4 and 4a. Sheets 28 and 30 of material representing portions 12and 14, respectively are placed in an adjacent orientation. A seal, suchas a heat seal, is applied to a selected continuous region of the sheetsto bond facing portions of the sheets together in a sealing relationshipthat defines a seal or border 32 that surrounds a cavity area 34. Thecavity area 34 defines the bladder 18. Material surrounding the border32 or material of the border 32 may be trimmed, as by cutting alongdashed line 36 or dashed line 38, to remove excess material as desired.

[0043] Returning to FIG. 2, the bladder 18 of the fit system 10 definesa single, uninterrupted flow path (defined by arrows 40) extendingbetween inlet 20 and outlet 24. The path defined by the arrows 40traverses a plurality of individual and interconnected segments, such assegments 42 a-42 t, configured in a generally “M”-shaped arrangementwhen the bladder 18 is lying in a plane.

[0044] The configuration of the fit system 10 and its interconnectedsegments 42 a-42 t advantageously enables a single flow path that can beadapted to be positioned in a non-planar relationship without creasingor bending so as to compromise the flow path. That is, theinterconnected segments 42 a-42 t cooperate with one another and enablethe bladder 18 of the fit system 10 to be positioned about the craniumof the user and within the helmet and to receive fluid and expand thebladder 18, with the fluid pressure within the bladder beingsubstantially uniform in each of the segments 42 a-42 t.

[0045] In this regard, it will be understood that the fit system 10 mayhave a greater or less number of segments depending on the size of theoverall fit system and the size of each segment. That is, each segmentmay be smaller such that a greater number of segments is required toprovide a fit system of desired size or each segment may be larger sothat fewer segments are needed. The segments are preferably ofsubstantially uniform size (and volume), however, it will be understoodthat segments of varying size may be utilized in conjunction with oneanother.

[0046] With additional reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the fit system 10 isconfigured for placement within an interior portion of a helmet, such asfootball helmet 50 for receiving a portion of a cranium 52 of a user. Asoriented in FIG. 6, the fit system 10 has been placed desirably forplacement about the cranium 52. The flow path, represented by arrows 40′is continuous and placement of the fit system 10 about the cranium 52has not resulted in creases between segments or other blockage to flow.

[0047] The helmet 50 preferably includes a shell 70 having ear holes 72and a shock attenuation liner 74 adjacent an interior portion of theshell 70. A face mask 76 is also preferably mounted to the shell 70, asby fasteners. The liner 74 may be secured to the interior of the shell70 as by adhesive or mating hook and loop material or other fasteningmeans. The fit system 10 is secured to the liner 74, preferablyreleasably secured as by hook and loop material, with the layer of softmaterial 16 positioned for contacting the cranium of a user.

[0048] As will readily be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art,the ports 20 and 24 (and any valves associated therewith) may bepositioned so as to be located outside of the shell 70 of the helmet forease of access when the helmet is worn by a user. For example, thelengths of tubing or other material used to provide the ports 20 and 24may be of sufficient length to extend downwardly below the lower edge ofthe helmet (FIG. 7a) or to extend through apertures 77 and 78,respectively located through the shell 70 of the helmet (FIG. 7b).

[0049] The fit system 10 substantially wraps around the sides, templeareas 58 of the cranium, above ears 59, the rear occipital protuberanceportion 60 of the cranium and an upper or crown portion 62 of thecranium 52. Upon introduction of fluid into the bladder 18, the fluidwill travel along the flow path 40′ and expand the bladder 18 so that itsubstantially occupies void areas or gaps between the cranium andadjacent interior surfaces of the helmet. Contact of the fit system withthe occipital protuberance 60 tends to urge the fit system and hence theentire helmet in a generally downward direction so as to draw theinterior of the helmet closer to the cranium of the user.

[0050] The following designations referenced in the drawings with regardto portions of the fit system 10 identify particular portions of thecranium to be contacted by the fit system when installed: TP Temples AEAbove ear UOR Under occipital protuberance in the rear CR Crown

[0051] Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the fit system 10 may beadvantageously used to fit a helmet to a cranium of a user to enhancecomfort and to aid in maintaining the helmet desirably positioned on thecranium of the user. In a preferred embodiment, the fit system 10 may beused to custom fit the helmet to the user. This may be accomplished byfirst placing the helmet system 70, with the fit system 10 substantiallyvoid of fluid, on the cranium of the user. Fluid may then be introducedinto the fit system via the inlet port 20 to desirably expand the fitsystem so that substantially the entire length of the fit system engagesmutually facing portions of the cranium of the user and the liner 74 ofthe helmet.

[0052] A desirable fit is achieved when the bladder is sufficientlyexpanded such that the user experience a snugness of the helmet againstthe cranium without feeling significant discomfort. In the case ofnon-curable fluids, such as air and water and the like, a valvemechanism associated with the port 20 inhibits the introduced fluid fromexiting the bladder such that the desired pressure achieved byintroducing the fluid is maintained. It will be understood that more orless fluid may be introduced and/or subsequently added or removed asdesired.

[0053] When the introduced fluid is a curable liquid, such as aliquid-based foam that cures or sets into a solid form, the fluid isflowed into the bladder via the port 20 until fluid exits the bladdervia the port 24. At that point, the flow of fluid is ceased and the usermaintains the helmet in the desired position for several minutes whilethe fluid cures into a solid form. The curable liquid therefore providesa custom fit that maintains its shape substantially indefinitely.

[0054]FIGS. 8 and 8a shows another embodiment of a fit system 80 inaccordance with the invention. The fit system 80 is configured similarto the fit system 10, except that it includes tubing 82 and 84. In FIG.8, one end of the tubing 82 is in fluid communication with the port 20and one end of the tubing 84 is in fluid communication with the port 24.The opposite ends of tubing 82 and 84 connects to a circulator 86 forcirculating fluid through the fit system.

[0055] For example, when the fluid is water, the circulator ispreferably a water pump for recirculating the water through the flowpath for cooling purposes. The water pump may be of conventional pumpconstruction and may be a small, battery powered unit that can be wornwhile the helmet is in use. A temperature control unit 88, such as aconventional chiller or heater or heat exchanger, may also beincorporated in-line with the circulator for maintaining the fluid at adesired temperature. During cold weather, it is desirable to heat thefluid and in hot weather to cool the fluid. As will be appreciated, thecirculator and the temperature control unit may be remote from thehelmet, with the fluid traveling from the remote location to the helmetvia tubing or other flow conduits placeable in flow communication withthe ports 20 and 24.

[0056] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8a, the exit end of conduit 84may be free to the atmosphere and the circulator 86 provided as by asource 90 of chilled or heated water for feeding a continuous supply ofwater through the system.

[0057] FIGS. 9-10

[0058] Turning now to FIGS. 9 and 10, there is shown an alternateembodiment of a fit system 100 having a shape generally conforming tothat of the fit system 10 but of solid construction. For example, thefit system 100 may be made as by flowing foam through the blank of FIG.4, letting the foam set and thereafter removing all of the materialsurrounding the set foam to yield a series of interconnected foamsegments 102 a-102 x, with each adjacent segment being connected by aconnecting portion 104. The segments 102 a-102 x are preferably secured,as by adhesive, to a flexible backing material 106.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 10, the fit system 100 may be incorporated (inthe manner of the fit system 10) into a helmet system 108 having a shell110 and a shock attenuation system or liner 112, with the backingmaterial 106 being secured, as by hook and loop material, to the liner112.

[0060] A preferred shell and shock attenuation system are described inU.S. Application Ser. No. 09/325,827, naming as inventors P. DavidHalstead, Cherie F. Alexander and Thad Ide, filed on Jun. 4, 1999, andentitled HELMET, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated byreference.

[0061] FIGS. 11-20

[0062] Turning to FIGS. 11-20, there are shown various additionalembodiments of fit systems in accordance with the invention. Thefollowing designations referenced in the drawings with regard toportions of the fit systems identify particular portions of the craniumto be contacted by the fit system when installed: TP Temples AE Aboveear UOR Under occipital protuberance in the rear CR Crown MR Middle ofrear FR Front/forehead

[0063] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 11-15 have single fluid paths andthe embodiments of FIGS. 16-20 have a pair of discrete single flowpaths. Each of the fit systems of FIGS. 11-20 is constructed similarlyto the fit system 10 in that they are configured to provide asubstantially impervious bladder for receiving a fluid.

[0064]FIG. 11 shows a fit system 120 having a single flow path indicatedby arrows 122 between an inlet port 124 and an outlet port 126. FIG. 12shows a fit system 130 having a single flow path indicated by arrows 132between an inlet port 134 and an outlet port 136. FIG. 13 shows a fitsystem 140 having a single flow path indicated by arrows 142 between aninlet port 144 and an outlet port 146. FIG. 14 shows a fit system 150having a single flow path indicated by arrows 152 between an inlet port154 and an outlet port 156. FIG. 15 shows a fit system 160 having asingle flow path indicated by arrows 162 between an inlet port 164 andan outlet port 166.

[0065]FIG. 16 shows a fit system 170 having a pair of discrete singleflow paths indicated by arrows 172 and 173 between inlet ports 174, 175and outlet ports 176, 177, respectively. FIG. 17 shows a fit system 180having a pair of discrete flow paths indicated by arrows 182 and 183between inlet ports 184, 185 and outlet ports 186, 187, respectively.FIG. 18 shows a fit system 190 having a pair of discrete flow pathsindicated by arrows 192 and 193 between inlet ports 194, 195 and outletports 196, 197, respectively. FIG. 19 shows a fit system 200 having apair of discrete flow paths indicated by arrows 202 and 203 betweeninlet ports 204, 205 and outlet ports 206, 207, respectively. FIG. 20shows a fit system 210 having a pair of discrete flow paths indicated byarrows 212 and 213 between inlet ports 214, 215 and outlet ports 216,217, respectively.

[0066] The foregoing description of certain embodiments of the presentinvention has been provided for purposes of illustration only, and it isunderstood that numerous modifications or alterations may be made in andto the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fit system positionable adjacent interiorportions of a helmet and cranial surfaces of a cranium of a wearer ofthe helmet proximate the interior portions of the helmet for improvingthe fit of the helmet to the cranium, the system comprising an elongatefluid impervious bladder having a first end including an inlet port influid communication with the bladder and a second end remote from thefirst end, the bladder defining a single continuous fluid flowpathbetween the first end and the second end for receiving fluidintroducible into the bladder through the inlet port for expanding thebladder so that substantially the entire length of the bladder may beexpanded to engage mutually facing portions of the cranium of the userand interior portions of the helmet, the bladder being positionablewithin the helmet so as to substantially wrap around portions of thecranium without compromising the fluid flow path.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of gel, gasand liquid.
 3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an outlet portadjacent the second end and in flow communication with the bladder andthe atmosphere and the fluid comprises a curable liquid that sets into asolid form.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the flowpath comprises aplurality of individual and interconnected segments.
 5. A fit systempositionable adjacent interior portions of a helmet and cranial surfacesof a cranium of a wearer of the helmet proximate the interior portionsof the helmet for improving the fit of the helmet to the cranium, thesystem comprising an elongate pliable member that is substantiallyM-shaped when positioned in a planar orientation and being positionablein a non-planar relationship within the helmet so as to substantiallywrap around side portions of the cranium, temple areas of the cranium, arear occipital protuberance portion of the cranium and an upper portionof the cranium.
 6. The fit system of claim 5, wherein the pliable membercomprises a foam member.
 7. A helmet comprising a shell having a shockattenuation liner adjacent an interior portion of the shell and a fitsystem adjacent the interior portion for contacting portions of thecranium, the fit system comprising an elongate fluid impervious bladderhaving a first end including an inlet port in fluid communication withthe bladder and a second end remote from the first end, the bladderdefining a single continuous fluid flowpath between the first end andthe second end for receiving fluid introducible into the bladder throughthe inlet port for expanding the bladder so that substantially theentire length of the bladder may be expanded to engage mutually facingportions of the cranium of the user and interior portions of the helmet,the bladder being positionable within the helmet so as to substantiallywrap around side portions of the cranium, temple areas of the cranium, arear occipital protuberance portion of the cranium and an upper portionof the cranium without compromising the fluid flow path.
 8. The helmetof claim 7, wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting ofgel, gas and liquid.
 9. The helmet of claim 7 further comprising anoutlet port adjacent the second end and in flow communication with thebladder and the atmosphere and the fluid comprises a curable liquid thatsets into a solid form.
 10. The helmet of claim 7, wherein the flowpathcomprises a plurality of individual and interconnected segments.
 11. Ahelmet comprising a shell having a shock attenuation liner adjacent aninterior portion of the shell and a fit system adjacent the interiorportion for contacting portions of the cranium, the fit systemcomprising an elongate pliable member that is substantially M-shapedwhen positioned in a planar orientation and being positionable in anon-planar relationship within the helmet so as to substantially wraparound side portions of the cranium, temple areas of the cranium, a rearoccipital protuberance portion of the cranium and an upper portion ofthe cranium.
 12. The fit system of claim 11, wherein the pliable membercomprises a foam member.
 13. A method of fitting a helmet to a cranium,the method comprising the steps of: providing a helmet comprising ashell having a shock attenuation liner adjacent an interior portion ofthe shell and a fit system adjacent the interior portion for contactingportions of the cranium, the fit system comprising an elongate fluidimpervious bladder having a first end including an inlet port in fluidcommunication with the bladder and a second end remote from the firstend, the bladder defining a single continuous fluid flowpath between thefirst end and the second end for receiving fluid introducible into thebladder through the inlet port for expanding the bladder so thatsubstantially the entire length of the bladder may be expanded to engagemutually facing portions of the cranium of the user and interiorportions of the helmet, the bladder being positionable within the helmetso as to substantially wrap around portions of the cranium withoutcompromising the fluid flow path; positioning the helmet on the craniumof the user such that the fit system substantially wraps around portionsof the cranium without compromising the fluid flow path; introducingfluid into the bladder via the inlet port to desirably expand the fitsystem to engage adjacent portions of the cranium of the user and theliner of the helmet.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step ofintroducing fluid comprises introducing fluid selected from the groupconsisting of gel, gas and liquid.
 15. A fit system positionableadjacent interior portions of a helmet and cranial surfaces of a craniumof a wearer of the helmet proximate the interior portions of the helmetfor improving the fit of the helmet to the cranium, the systemcomprising an elongate fluid impervious bladder having a first endincluding an inlet port in fluid communication with the bladder and asecond end remote from the first end, the bladder defining a singlecontinuous fluid flowpath between the first end and the second end forreceiving fluid introducible into the bladder through the inlet port forexpanding the bladder so that substantially the entire length of thebladder may be expanded to engage portions of the cranium of the userand interior portions of the helmet.
 16. The fit system of claim 15,wherein the fluid is selected from the group consisting of gel, gas andliquid.
 17. The fit system of claim 15 further comprising an outlet portadjacent the second end and in flow communication with the bladder andthe atmosphere and the fluid comprises a curable liquid that sets into asolid form.